How are courts navigating staffing, operations & technology?

How are courts navigating staffing, operations, andtechnology? In this episode of Clarity, Rabiyah Butler speaks with DavidSlayton, Executive Officer and Clerk of Court for the Superior Court of LosAngeles County, and Andrea Miller, Senior Research Associate at the NationalCenter for State Courts, about findings from the Staffing, Operations andTechnology: A 2025 Survey of State Courts report. The conversation explores thesignificant staffing challenges facing courts across the United States, includingpersistent vacancies, employee burnout, increasing workloads, and thedifficulty of recruiting and retaining talent. The speakers explain how theseworkforce pressures are affecting court operations and access to justice, whilealso highlighting opportunities to improve efficiency through processmodernization, automation, and technology.

The discussion also examines the judiciary’s cautiousapproach to emerging technologies, including AI. While courts see significantpotential for AI and automation to reduce repetitive administrative work,improve case processing, and support court staff, the speakers emphasize thatsuccessful adoption requires careful planning, governance, budget investment,and a focus on equitable access to justice. Topics include virtual hearings,digital accessibility, technology modernization, workforce expectations, courtfunding challenges, and the need to balance innovation with the realities ofserving diverse court users. Ultimately, the episode argues that modernizingcourt operations is essential not only for efficiency, but also forstrengthening public access to the justice system.

3 reasons to listen

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1. Understand the staffing and operationalchallenges facing courts today, including workforce shortages, burnout,recruitment difficulties, and increasing demands on court resources.

2. Learn how courts are using technology andautomation to improve efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and help stafffocus on higher-value work that supports access to justice.

3. Gain insight into the future of courtmodernization, including the opportunities and challenges associated with AIadoption, virtual hearings, digital equity, and budget constraints.

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Hear how courts are tackling workforce challenges through innovation and technology.